Safety window shade assembly

Abstract

A dual shade apparatus comprises a first shade, which may be a Roman or natural woven shade, and a second shade, which may be a cellular shade, coupled to each other in a back-to-back arrangement with one or more dual channeled couplers. Any lift cords employed in the apparatus are concealed in between the pair of shades so as to prevent any direct contact. No portion of any employed cords is exposed or accessible for direct or inadvertent contact, thereby enhancing safety in operating the apparatus. The coupler has a double-C configuration to receive corresponding retaining mechanisms of the front and rear shades. A head rail houses a lifting mechanism. Each lifting cord extends from the lifting mechanism, in between the two shades, and down to a bottom rail. The dual shades are drawn down or retracted in unison by pulling or pushing up the bottom rail.

1 . A safety window shade apparatus, comprising:
 a first shade having a first display side, a first inward side and a first retaining mechanism;   a second shade disposed adjacent to the first inward side of the first shade, the second shade comprising a second retaining mechanism;   a coupler coupling the first shade to the second shade, the coupler comprising a first channel configured to receive the first retaining mechanism and a second channel configured to receive the second retaining mechanism;   wherein no portion of a cord is disposed anywhere other than in between the first shade and the second shade.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first shade comprises a Roman shade. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second shade comprises a cellular shade. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first channel comprises a first C-channel; and   the second channel comprises a second C-channel.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the second retaining mechanism comprises a cylindrical shaft.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first shade comprises separate segments;   the first retaining member comprises a pair of separate transverse rigid strips, each strip coupled to a corresponding segment.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first shade comprises a natural woven shade. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first retaining mechanism comprises:
 a shaft configured to be received in the first channel; and   a ring coupled to the shaft and the natural woven shade.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a head rail; and   a cordless lifting mechanism housed in the head rail and configured to facilitate the lifting and lowering of the first and second shades.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bottom rail coupled to a first bottom end of the first fabric and to a second bottom end of the second shade.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a lift cord entirely in between the first and second shades, and coupled to the bottom rail. 
     
     
         12 . A safety window shade apparatus, comprising:
 a first shade comprising a first display side, a first inward side, a first retaining mechanism and a first perimeter;   a second shade disposed adjacent to the first inward side of the first fabric, the second shade comprising a second retaining mechanism and a second perimeter, the first perimeter and the second perimeter being generally aligned to form a collective perimeter;   a double-C coupler comprising a first C-channel configured to receive the first retaining mechanism, and a second C-channel configured to receive the second retaining mechanism; and   a cord disposed entirely between the first shade and the second shade, the cord having no portions exposed beyond the collective perimeter.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first shade comprises a Roman shade. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the second shade comprises a cellular shade. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first shade comprises separate segments;   the first retaining mechanism comprises a pair of separate transverse rigid strips, each strip coupled to a corresponding segment.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first shade comprises a natural woven shade. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first retaining mechanism comprises:
 a shaft configured to be received in the first channel; and   a ring coupled to the shaft and the natural woven shade.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a head rail; and   a cordless lifting mechanism housed in the head rail and configured to facilitate the lifting and lowering of the first and second fabrics.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a bottom rail coupled to a first bottom end of the first fabric and to a second bottom end of the second fabric; wherein   the cord is coupled to the bottom rail.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the second retaining mechanism comprises a shaft. 
     
     
         21 . A method of manufacturing a window shade assembly, comprising:
 providing a first shade;   providing a second shade;   coupling the first shade to a dual open-sided coupler;   coupling the second shade to the dual open-sided coupler;   disposing a lift cord entirely in between the first and second shades; and   preventing any portion of the lift cord from being exposed and accessible to physical contact.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 housing a cordless lifting mechanism within a head rail; and   coupling the first shade and the second shade to the head rail.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein coupling the first shade to the dual open-sided coupler comprises disposing in a first channel of the coupler a shaft coupled to the first shade. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein coupling the first shade to the dual open-sided coupler comprises coupling a ring to the shaft and the first shade. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 providing the first shade comprises forming fabric segments, each segment having a top retaining strip and a bottom retaining strip;   coupling the first shade to the dual open-sided coupler comprises disposing a top retaining strip and a bottom retaining strip of adjacent segments into a first C-channel of the coupler.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein coupling the second shade to the dual open-sided coupler comprises disposing in a second channel of the coupler a shaft coupled to the second shade.